PREVIOUS MYTH:
All anaphylactic reactions have skin symptoms
NEXT MYTH:
Epinephrine auto-injectors can't be upsized to the 0.3mg dose until 66 lbs
PREVIOUS MYTH:
All anaphylactic reactions have skin symptoms
NEXT MYTH:
Epinephrine auto-injectors can't be upsized to the 0.3mg dose until 66 lbs
Staff Training: Food Allergies & Anaphylaxis in School – What School Staff Need to Know
This 30 minute module is designed to assist the school nurse in staff training of management of life-threatening allergic reactions and increase food allergy awareness for all school staff including teachers, food service personnel, administrators, aides, specialists, coaches, bus drivers, custodians and others.
FOOD ALLERGY MYTH
“Give antihistamine first when treating anaphylaxis.”
FOOD ALLERGY FACT
Epinephrine is the first line treatment for anaphylaxis. Antihistamines are slow to act and haven’t been shown to prevent or stop anaphylaxis.
COMMENTARY:
Epinephrine is the treatment of choice for anaphylaxis. Delays in the administration of epinephrine are associated with an increased risk of death. Antihistamines do not treat life threatening symptoms; therefore if used then antihistamines CANNOT be allowed to delay the use of epinephrine (NIAID Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States). All staff should be familiar with and have access to the emergency care plans of any student that they are responsible for. All staff should be trained to recognize allergic reactions and know their role in the school emergency protocol.
RESOURCES:
Get Trained: NASN tool and resource for training unlicensed school staff to administer an epinephrine auto injector during an allergic emergency.
Anaphylaxis: What School Staff Need to Know : Written supplemental material that supports the AllergyHome training module. This is designed to reinforce key principles in the management and recognition of anaphylaxis by school staff.
REFERENCES:
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID)-Sponsored Expert Panel. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States: Report of the NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 126.6 (2010): S1-S58.
- Simons, et. al. Anaphylaxis in the community: learning from the survivors. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Aug; 124: 301–306.
